5th June
I have been coming to Vegas now since 2005. Over which time I think I have had something like 13 visits and spent well over 6 months of my life here. Outside of Chorley and Blackpool I have spent more of my life here than anywhere else in the world.
However during this time I have never seen Red Rock Canyon. I have heard about it, but never got round to visiting. Until today!
Nick has been nipping up there for some cycling. I will be taking it considerably easier and just having a walk. Besides I am crap at cycling, the last time I owned a bike I was glad when somebody nicked it. I am a danger to my self and anybody unlucky enough to be in the vicinity. The thought of racing around on a half inch wide bit of rubber with my feet attached to the wheels is only gonna end one way. A comedy fall, and a severe life change for skalie, one that would likely mean I am riding around on rubber tyres for life. I think I will take a walk.
One thing was putting me off. Apparently Red Rock is home to Scorpions, Poisonous Spiders and rattle snakes. Or to give you the latin name, Scaricus poisonous Ishitmyselficus.
Now I am much bigger than a scorpion or spider, I reckon I could ‘av ‘em. Them snakes though look a bit nasty. I decided to check out what they were capable of…………
Rattlesnake bites are the leading cause of snakebite injuries in North America, and cause approximately 82% of fatalities. However, rattlesnakes rarely bite unless provoked or threatened; and if treated promptly, the bites are rarely fatal.
This don’t seem too bad, I particularly was motivated by the last few words. I wont be looking for any trouble. Sod it! I’m ready to give it a go.
Loaded up with about 5 bottles of water and a quarter inch think coat of sun factor 50 I was off. Walking in the desert all alone but for my thoughts. So about as lonely as it gets really.
After about half a mile I find a split in the trail. Do I venture right or carry on straight ahead. I decide on the latter and after a further mile up the road I realise I had lost yet another flip. I had in fact chose the 10 mile route. Not the little 3 mile one I had anticipated. To make things worse the 10 mile walk is a straight line, when you get to the end you basically have no where to go but come back. Luckily being a wuss has its advantages and turning back when I did could have saved my life.
I returned to the split and now take the other route. Before I know it I heading up a hill. This was not part of the plan. I don’t like hills. Heading up the slope I was really starting to realise how unfit I was, and had it not been though fear of a scorpion bite to the arse I would in all likely hood have sat down.
Before reaching the top of the Hill I am passed by old couple. In fairness they were coming the other way, they hadn’t over took me. That being said, despite the walking sticks they did appear to be making easier work of this than me.
When I reach the top I am thrilled to see a bench and sit down for a break to catch my breath and take in the views. The place is simply breath taking, though it did remind me of the old road runner cartoons, and I could imagine Wyle Coyote chasing him across the landscape.
As I head down the hill I find another split in the road. Half mile further on I realised that I have to improve my 50 50 win percentages and turn back.
An hour and a half it took and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, something I never thought I would say. If you get chance, pay the place a visit. Only $7 per car and it will probably be the best value for your dollar you will get in Vegas.
The Red Rock Area has a complex geological history, which over millions of years, helped to create the dramatic landscape that characterizes the region.
Around the Mesozoic Era 250 million years ago, the earth’s crust started to rise due to tectonic shifts, forcing the water out and leaving behind evaporite formations of salt and gypsum. Exposure of the former sea bed allowed some of the rocks to oxidize (literally rust) and formed the area’s characteristic red and orange rock layers.
Eventually a lush plain with streams and trees developed in the area. Some of these trees were covered with mud from the streams and eventually became petrified wood. Many of these fossilized logs can still be found today at the base of the Wilson Cliffs.
By 180 million years ago, the climate continued to change and the area became a desert featuring vast expanses of huge shifting sand dunes. These dunes would pile up and were lithified, and are now called Aztec Sandstone. During a mountain building period called the Laramide orogeny around 65 million years ago, the Keystone Thrust Fault developed, which ran through most of North America and through the Red Rock Conservation Area. The movement of this fault forced the older grey sedimentary rock over the younger red rocks, forming the striking red line that can be seen in the mountain today.
Later that day I returned to the Bellagio for some more cash games. I had been going quite well but after losing a 2k pot with top pair and a flush draw to top two pair I decided to call it a day, but did bank a little $300, so cant complain.
6th June
Bellagio cash game again. And started off on fire. I was all in the very first hand before my chips had even arrived. Something I don’t think I have ever done before. And although I wasn’t called it did boost my 1500 buy in to 2k. Before long I am up close to $1000 before the next hand developed.
I raise in mid position to $40 a young player 2 seats to my left re-raises to $110. I was about to pass but the big blind called and with just 70 to call with $265 already in there I see the flop. It come Qs 6s 7h, giving me the second nut flush draw. We check it to the raiser who leads out for $220 and the BB folds. I call and the turn is the 3 of diamonds. I again check and he bets out $440. Now if I flat call here I may as well turn my cards face up. It’s possible my opponent still has nothing and even with AA KK it would be difficult to call a shove. Failing that I could still hit. I move all in and it’s about 1300 more for opponent to call. He dwells and does indeed call. The river is an off suit jack which is no good against his mighty Queen Ten. Not sure whether I played this bad or not, and I have asked several people with differing views. I finished the day $1700 down and I will just chalk it up to a bad day. Not despondent buy this result.
Don’t be ridiculous Kal. The Earth was created 2012 years ago by a fella with a beard in less than a week. Since then he has continued to move in mysterious, ineffective and breathtakingly cruel ways.
I strongly suggest you cut out this scientific claptrap and start to worship him so he can save you from what he’s gonna do if you don’t worship him………
did your horse have a name?
depends on the player at the table .. I think if that player was tight just saw it, if it was aggressive player, I think you acted correctly…hope u doin well..good blees u!